Joao Fonseca is once again leading the youth revolution at Roland Garros, following up his stunning victory over Novak Djokovic by defeating two-time finalist Casper Ruud to advance to the French Open quarter-finals.
But the brilliant Brazilian is not the only teenager shaking up the old order. Rafael Jodar, born just a month after Fonseca, ensured there will be two impressively talented 19-year-olds in the last eight after his magnificent comeback win over experienced Spanish compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, despite a pair of off-court controversies.
Fonseca's Spectacular Performance
In another thrilling late-night contest on Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday, Fonseca was even more spectacular than in his changing-of-the-guard victory over Djokovic. He had to repel the tough Norwegian's rearguard action before prevailing 7-5, 7-6 (10-8), 5-7, 6-2 after midnight.
Ruud, the 15th seed, hung on grimly, seemingly exhausted by constantly trying to extinguish the forehand rockets exploding off Fonseca's racquet. The three-time slam finalist dug deep to cling on in set three before Fonseca threw in perhaps his worst service game of the match to gift him a way back. However, the young world No. 30 regrouped and was more focused in the fourth as the Norwegian looked clueless at how to stop the barrage of winners—51 in total.
Cheered on by Brazil's former three-time Paris champion Gustavo Kuerten, Fonseca admitted to feeling inspired by having his idol 'Guga' rooting for him. Fonseca said he felt tired after his exhausting week's work, including two five-set comeback wins over Djokovic and Dino Prizmic, with the Ruud match lasting five minutes under four hours.
Jodar's Controversial Yet Triumphant Path
Alexander Zverev, now a warm favourite, knows he will have to next repel the incredibly special talent of Jodar after the Spaniard, who had trounced Alex de Minaur in Madrid, came from two sets down to concede just five games over the final three stanzas for a 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 triumph over 34-year-old Carreno Busta.
Despite his form on the court, Jodar has endured a slightly controversial tournament off it, twice drawing criticism for separate incidents with ballgirls. On Saturday, a deceptive angle made it look like the youngster pushed a ballgirl as he stormed off the court, but a view from the opposite side proved he did not touch her. Now, Jodar has sparked drama again after accidentally leaving another ballgirl hanging when she offered a handshake to him as he walked onto court. It is the second time in three days that Jodar has gone viral for the wrong reasons, but some have rushed to his defence.
“I don’t think there’s anything in it, he’s simply just in another world as he walks on court,” The Nightly’s Richard Clune told The Morning Show. “I feel sorry for him that this is what we’re talking about because this kid’s a gun; he is the next Rafa (Rafael Nadal), he’s having to wear that pressure, that’s what he’s wearing when he goes on court.” He added, “He hasn’t seen the girl, he’s since made up with her after the match, he’s since shook her hand after the match.”
Upcoming Quarter-Final Matchups
Fonseca looks a genuine contender and is a big chance in the quarters against Jakub Mensik, the Czech who recovered from a second-round on-court collapse to beat Alex de Minaur next time out and who again appeared to ailing physically while somehow outlasting Andrey Rublev 6-3, 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 2-6, 6-3.
Now the lanky kid from Madrid, who was ranked 707 in the world a year ago and 165 at the start of this year, faces a quarter-final against Zverev, who may never have a better chance to shed that irritating tag of 'best player never to win a men's slam' in the absence of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic.
But the world No. 3 is not entertaining any discussion on whether he is now an outstanding favourite. “I will give the same answer I gave two days ago,” said the second seed after he disposed of Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 6-1. “I will focus on the matches that are ahead of me. This is the only thing that I can control.”
He sounded a bit less chilled than Jodar, who is evidently just having a ball. “I’m trying to enjoy the moment,” said the teen, who is now up to No. 22 in the live rankings. “I was talking to my friends and to my family before the match. It’s a gift, to play a fourth round in a French Open! So my goal was to enjoy it.”
Zverev is clear of the danger he poses, of course. “He’s somebody that can accelerate the ball from both sides,” shrugged the German, “which is incredibly special.”
